Culture Craze
Mariah Carey to be honoured with MTV’s Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award
A rare return to the MTV stage
The MTV Video Music Awards are no stranger to iconic moments, and this year will see one of music’s most enduring voices step back into the spotlight. Mariah Carey is set to receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, the network’s highest honour celebrating artists who have transformed pop culture through their visuals.
It will be a night of milestones. Not only does this mark Carey’s first appearance at the ceremony in two decades, but she will also perform a medley of her greatest hits. Fans are already speculating which tracks might make the cut, given her catalogue of classics that helped define the sound of the 90s and 2000s.
Joining music royalty
The Vanguard Award has a storied history. Originally introduced at the first VMAs in 1984, it has honoured everyone from David Bowie to Madonna. Since being renamed after Michael Jackson in 1991, recipients have included Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Missy Elliott, Justin Timberlake, Shakira, and Jennifer Lopez. Carey now joins this small but powerful circle of artists whose music videos and performances left a lasting imprint on global culture.
For many, the recognition is long overdue. Carey’s video history includes unforgettable releases such as Honey, Heartbreaker, and Touch My Body, which combined playful storytelling with cutting-edge visuals. With 19 Billboard Hot 100 number ones and more than 220 million records sold worldwide, her influence reaches far beyond the screen.
A big year for Mariah
The announcement comes as Carey prepares to release her 16th studio album, Here for It All, on 26 September. It will be her first full-length project since 2018’s Caution. Fans can expect her VMAs performance to double as a reminder of her staying power and a teaser for the new era of music.
This moment also coincides with the 20th anniversary of The Emancipation of Mimi, the 2005 album that marked one of the biggest comebacks in pop history. That year, her medley performance at the VMAs featured the now-classic We Belong Together.
What to expect at the 2025 VMAs
The ceremony, set for 7 September at New York’s UBS Arena, promises to be a star-studded affair. Performances will include Busta Rhymes, Ricky Martin, Sabrina Carpenter, DJ Snake, and J Balvin. LL COOL J will take on hosting duties, bringing the event full circle, as he too has previously been honoured with the Vanguard Award.
For Carey, who has become as much a cultural icon as she is a singer, the moment is more than an award. It is a celebration of a career that continues to evolve, inspiring generations who grew up with her music.
Also read: Trevor Noah takes his comedy from stage to screen with R-rated movie deal
Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter, TikT
For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com
Source: IOL
Featured Image: Yahoo
